International News & Opinions

Historic Decision: First Australian State to Ban Fracking for Onshore Gas The State of Victoria Bans Fracking

“The Greens are calling on [New South Wales premier] Mike Baird to end the uncertainty for communities by following Victoria’s lead and banning coal seam gas and fracking permanently and setting a course towards a renewable energy future,” Greens NSW Resources and Energy Spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham said.

A ban also makes economic sense, principal advisor at The Australia Institute Mark Ogge told The Guardian, arguing that the creation of gas-related jobs means even more agricultural jobs are lost.

Banning fracking “is sound economic and energy policy,” he said.

“Whatever benefits there are [to Australia’s energy industry], have gone almost entirely to the overseas owners of global oil and gas companies licensed to export Australian gas, largely at the expense of Australian businesses and jobs.”